Admission to hospital

Hi Flower Girl

Why don’t you discus your concerns with your mother’s radiotherapy team.  They probably won’t hospitalize  unless necessary.

The effects of the radiotherapy don’t normally start until week 3 and it can be a bit soul destroying hanging around a hospital if not necessary. 

 I was monitored by my radiotherapy doctor during radiotherapy and regularly met with him. He would change medication etc depending on how I was.

You may be surprised and your mother may fare better than you expect so you can’t anticipate anything. However, it is definitely always a good idea to have Plan B ready.

I was admitted for a week when I got dehydrated and then continued being taken to my radiotherapy session for that week while in hospital.  I had already had radiotherapy 9 years before that and my experience that time was quite different so even the same person can have different experiences.

Wishing your mother all the best for her treatment as it can be a hard path but it is different for everyone so you can’t assume anything.

Sounds to me that you are a very supportive daughter and your mother is lucky to have you batting on her side.

Lyn

Hi Flower girl. My pain got on top of me at the end of week three but it was entirely my fault as I was completely unprepared. Over a weekend I didn't take anything orally so after my Monday RT I was admitted for a drip and for nasogastric tube placement. Unfortunately it was New Years eve and the nutritionist wasn't around till the 3rd of January to put my tube in and show me how to use it. You'd think that on a cancer ward all the nurses would be trained. Also it took innumerable missing doctors to titrate my pain relief so I was stuck there til the 4th. It's the main reason I bang on and on here about getting pain relief sorted before you need it and to take it by the clock so that you are in front of the pain and to make sure you get your food down. The better you are fed the easier your time through all this and the faster your recovery. So my little bit of advice is to make sure pain relief and nutrition are in place in time. Your mum has had a PEG put in? In which case it might be an idea to get her and you used to actually using it before she needs it and too get your analgesics on board in week two.

It's something to have a chat about with her team

Having said all that the ward I ended up in was cheerful and we were all upbeat. There were a couple of ladies in their 80s there and they were in better spirits than me.

Hi don't read too much in  to it I spend last 2 weeks of treatment in hospital. And was in a 4 bed ward with ladies all at different stages of radiotherapy treatment  too  sending you best wishes and love to your mum

Thanks for the advice to you and everyone who has responded to my question. I should not anticipate things that have not yet happened. xxx

Hi Flower Girl

I can understand your concern and it's good to be aware of what might happen but Lyn is absolutely right.  We all react to the treatment differently and don't all get the side effects to the same degree.

Good advice from Dani to ensure your mum stays on top of her painkillers. 

Hopefully your mum has a contact number for her Clinical Nurse Specialist who can be contacted for advice.  Do also speak to the radiographers at the radiotherapy session  if your mum has any problems as they can prescribe medications to help.

Linda x

Mum starts her treatment next week so I suppose we will see. Good to know that the radiographers will be able to help with pain relief. Thanks

The radiographers are your first port of call and will liaise with your mums team to meet her needs. Mine were fab and we talked every day about how I was feeling. Can I suggest you tell your mum not to be brave  and make sure she tells them his she is every day. 

Thanks that's really good advice. xxx

Hello everyone

My mum Starts her last week of radiotherapy next week and so far she is still at home. Struggling and no longer able to really eat or drink by mouth but to be expected. Fingers crossed!!!

Big Hug....flower Girl. She's nearly cracked it.